Anhui, China—Venus Optics introduced its latest creation: the Laowa 8-16mm f3.5-5 Zoom CF lens for mirrorless cameras. “A unique compact zoom lens redefines the boundaries of wide-angle photography and is designed to meet the needs of modern photographers,” the company announced. “With an angle of view spanning from 82.8º to 120.9º, this lens opens up new horizons for capturing expansive scenes and diverse perspectives for APS-C-format users.”
Laowa 8-16mm f3.5-5 Zoom CF Details
Like most Laowa wide-angle lenses, the 8–16mm also has well-controlled optical distortion. In addition, Venus is positioning the lens for landscape photography, architectural shots, creative wide-angle portraits, as well as any narrative that calls for a broader view. In addition, its compact form makes it a companion for travel or on-the-go photography.
The lens is lightweight as well as compact design. It weighs in at 16.3 ounces and measures 3.5×3.5 inches. Furthermore, Venus designed the lens as a user-friendly option for both amateur enthusiasts and seasoned professionals.
What’s more, the manual focus 8–16mm lens offers a sunstar effect with its 5-blade aperture, adding a creative element to photos. Also, its 86mm filter thread allows you to experiment—whether you want to use ND filters for long-exposure shots; polarizers for enhanced skies; or creative-look filters to infuse your images with artistic flair. It also boasts a close focusing capability of 7.9 inches, enabling you to capture details from a short distance.
For videographers, the lens also features an aperture ring de-clicking option, for quiet operation and smooth aperture adjustments during video shooting. 
The Laowa 8–16mm f/3.5–5 Zoom CF lens is currently available in the Sony E, Fujifilm X, Nikon Z as well as Canon RF/EF-M mounts. It has a suggested retail price of $549.
